A Long and Accurate PCR Enzyme for GC-Rich PCR: LA Taq DNA Polymerase with GC Buffers

TaKaRa LA Taq DNA Polymerase with GC Buffers includes buffers that allow the amplification of difficult templates. The GC-optimized Buffers I and II are specifically designed to amplify DNA templates with high GC content (GC-rich) or with a significant amount of secondary structure. GC Buffer I is recommended for amplification of fragments ≥5 kb, whereas GC Buffer II is recommended for 2–3 kb fragments with up to 73% GC content.

TaKaRa LA Taq combines Taq Polymerase and a proofreading DNA polymerase with 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity that is optimized for long range PCR. This mixture of enzymes allows for long and accurate (LA) PCR amplification of targets from a variety of templates, including genomic DNA. The presence of the proofreading polymerase increases fidelity (6.5X) compared to Taq Polymerase alone. In combination with the GC Buffers, LA Taq can be used for amplication of targets from difficult-to-amplify templates.

PCR Performance

Performance is confirmed by successful amplification of a 35 kb lambda DNA template, and a 17.5 kb human genomic DNA with GC Buffer I. Amplification of the c-jun proto-oncogene (1,255 bp, 65% GC content) by PCR is also confirmed using human genomic DNA as the template with GC Buffer I and II.